Digital programme

During the next few months, we will be working to roll out the Integrated Care Record (ICR) to make a real difference to the lives of people across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.

With appropriate permissions and consent, the ICR means that relevant medical history will be available electronically to health and care professionals – whether individuals are being treated by their GP, in a community-based service, or in hospital. Information will also be available with local authorities for care services, and eventually with hospices and other providers. These practitioners will be able to access the most current details about patients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Local people have told us that they want their health and care records to be available to practitioners who care for them. By connecting these pockets of information health and care services can work more efficiently and consistently to improve quality and outcomes for the people they care for.

Health professionals will have access to an incrementally comprehensive record for their patients’ medical and care needs, making care safer and reducing duplication. It will reduce the need to ask patients for information repeatedly and ensure that their preferences, such as information about resuscitation and end of life wishes, are shared and understood by all practitioners caring for them.

The ICR will support new models of care which forms part of the delivery of integrated health and social care services that are central to the national NHS strategy. We are also working in partnership with neighbouring health and care organisations and NHS England to ensure appropriate records are available for patients who are cared for outside of our county.

The next step is to communicate and engage with key stakeholders across the local health and care economy. Work continues behind the scenes with our partners to prepare for the launch.